Staffs benefits fraudster claimed up to £16k

A benefits cheat received almost £16,000 in over payments after getting into a financial mess with her household bills, a court heard.

Louise Williams told staff at the Department of Work and Pensions that she was a single mother with a nine-year-old son when in reality she also shared the family home in Norton Canes with her husband Stephen and an older son. The deception continued for two years after which they were evicted from the rented social-housing property in Newmarket Road.

Mr Gary Finn, prosecuting for Cannock Chase Council, said suspicions were raised by staff at Accord Housing Association.

Their investigations confirmed Stephen Williams had moved in and used the address on his passport and on joint claims for tax credits. They also found that son Bradley gave the address as his home to his employers.

Louise Williams told the joint council-DWP investigation that her husband moved out for a few days when they had arguments, mainly over money, but had always returned to the house. The couple have since broken up.

The 40-year-old admitted she knew she was doing wrong but needed the money to pay off mounting debts.

She admitted two charges of falsely claiming a total of £15,824 in benefits between July 2008 and August 2010. The court heard that she had already started paying back part of the £6,940 owed in income support and the £1,369 council tax debt.

Arrangements have yet to be made over the £7,513 owed in housing benefit.

Mr Stephen Sheldon, defending, said problems started after Stephen Williams lost his regular job in 2008.

She has now put her life in order and has started paying the debt back although it will take her many years to do so."

Williams was given a 12-month community order, including a requirement to carry out 140 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £300 court costs.